LightReader

Chapter 3 - Chapter 3: The Maid Convict

[ Castle of Ignia – Training Room ]

"Rein, before I teach you how to use a sword," Charlotte said, her tone firm but not unkind, "I want to ask you something. Why do you want to learn?"

"Because I want to protect everyone!"

I answered without hesitation. It might just be a dream, but deep down… I believe this is what my mother would've wanted for me.

"An ambitious dream," she said quietly.

Charlotte walked over to the weapon rack and grabbed two wooden swords. With a short toss, she threw one to me. I barely caught it.

"Rein," she said, looking me straight in the eyes, "I don't want to make you sad, but… you can't protect everyone. Not even the gods can."

Her words were heavy. They made me pause.

"Scourges aren't our only enemies," she continued. "Even Terrans—people like you and me—can hurt each other."

I was stunned. I'd only heard stories of Scourges being evil. To think that even Terrans could be threats… it shook me. Unlike the mindless Scourges, Terrans have choices—and still, some choose to harm others.

"Protect those who can't protect themselves from harm," she said. "That will be your goal from now on. As your master, that's what I ask of you."

Her words sparked something inside me. A dream I could hold onto—not one built on impossible ideals, but one grounded in purpose.

"For now, just focus on familiarizing yourself with that sword."

I nodded. Then came hours of relentless swinging. My arms ached with every motion. I was exhausted. I glanced toward the window—it was already dark outside.

"We'll stop here for today," Charlotte said. "Go get ready for dinner."

I dropped the wooden sword and collapsed to the ground, panting. Day one of training and I already felt like quitting. But I asked for this. I have no right to complain. Maybe a good meal and a long sleep will fix the soreness.

---

[ Charlotte's POV – Training Room, Later ]

Sigh. Maybe I went too far with Rein's training today. He's just seven… I really should have paced it better. I need to prepare for dinner too.

KNOCK KNOCK.

Huh? Someone at the door. Is Rein back already?

"What did you forget, little bro~?" I teased.

…Wait. That voice isn't Rein's.

"I'm just checking in, my beloved sister~."

Oh no. I know that voice too well. I messed up. Big time.

It's her—the Fire Goddess.

"L-Little bro…? Seems like you've gotten close with Rein already," Miss Eclia smiled.

"I-IT'S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, YOUR HIGHNESS!"

My face turned red as I scrambled to hide my embarrassment. I shouldn't have assumed it was Rein… ugh, why did I even say that?!

"There's no need to be embarrassed," she said gently. "I wish Rein would call me 'Mother' too…"

Her voice grew quiet, a trace of sadness in her tone. It's his first day. He'll come around. There's still time.

I turned to see her walking around the training room, inspecting the weapons. Miss Eclia is well-known for her skill in forging—of course she'd be checking their quality.

Then, out of nowhere, she asked, "Charlotte, why do you fight?"

"To protect you, Miss Eclia."

Her eyes softened. "Are you happy about it?"

She knew my past. The reason I chose to serve her. The reason I gave up everything.

---

[ 5 Years Ago – Charlotte's Past ]

Back then, I lived in the outskirts with my parents. One day, my father gave me a gift: a sword. At first glance, it looked ordinary… until I discovered the elemental spirit living within it—a rabbit-like creature named Rapid.

Rapid gave me incredible speed, enhancing my movements beyond normal limits. My father saw my potential and urged me to enroll in the House of Heroes—an academy that trained Terrans to fight the Scourge threat.

Through years of training, I became one of the top students. The day I graduated, I ran home, excited to show my parents how far I'd come.

But that night… changed everything.

The house was dark. No lights. At first, I thought they were asleep. But then I saw muddy footprints on the door. My heart sank.

I opened it—bandits were inside, looting what little we had.

And there, on the floor—my parents. Dead. Blood pooled beneath their bodies.

I was numb. I wanted to collapse beside them, but I had to act.

"HEY! KILL HER!"

They noticed me. I gripped Rapid. My blood boiled.

[ Rage ]

[ Let out your Rage ]

Rapid's voice echoed in my mind.

I didn't need to be told twice.

I cut them down. Every last one. My training kicked in—I moved like lightning. The bandits were nothing.

"P-PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!" the last one begged.

"You're a Hero, right?! Killing Terrans is illegal!"

He was right… but I didn't care.

I ended him.

The rage subsided. I was left standing in a ruined home—alone, soaked in blood, parents gone, future shattered.

---

[ Floating Island of Empyrea – Courtroom ]

"Seven bodies," the judge said. "No witnesses. One delivery man claims Miss Charlotte was found holding a bloodied sword."

I stood there, all eyes on me.

"They killed my parents. So I killed them," I said flatly.

Whispers spread. The once-celebrated top student now stood accused of murder.

"SILENCE!" the judge barked.

"As a Hero, you broke the first rule. You know the consequences. You'll be stripped of your title. You may be imprisoned."

I didn't care. Let them take it all.

Then—

"Okay, I've heard enough."

A calm but powerful voice rang out. Miss Eclia stood on the balcony… then leapt down gracefully.

"Miss Eclia! You're a temporary god audience—don't interfere with due process!" someone shouted.

"Shut up," she snapped. "You heard her story. Her parents were murdered. Don't any of you feel shame?"

"But the law—"

"Laws don't always deliver justice," she said, staring them all down. "Some crimes go unpunished simply because they happen in the shadows."

"Still, we must issue a sanction—"

"Fine. Then let her serve in my castle. Let that be her punishment."

Gasps filled the court. A goddess taking in a convict?

"She killed five men on her own. That kind of skill? I want someone like that in my ranks."

Just like that, the judge relented. My fate was sealed. But this time… it wasn't the end. It was the beginning of something else.

---

[ Present Day ]

"It's not really about being happy or not," I replied quietly.

"At least you and Rein are getting along," Miss Eclia smiled.

Rein… his mother died. I know that pain. No home. No one to return to.

We're both under Miss Eclia's wing now. And if he wants to learn the sword, then as someone of the Castle of Ignia, I'll give it everything I have.

"Let's go eat, Charlotte! I'm starving after that meeting earlier!"

"Yes, yes, Your Highness," I smiled.

I guess it's another exhausting day in the Castle of Ignia.

More Chapters